2014 Toyota Avalon

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XLE FWD 4-Dr Sedan V6 auto trans

2014 toyota avalon Reviews and News

2014 Toyota Avalon

By
Austin Lott
- 11/06/2014

New for 2014

The 2014 Toyota Avalon continues largely unchanged after a 2013-model-year redesign, the 2014 Toyota Avalon adds a rearview camera as standard equipment on the XLE trim, and the blind-spot monitoring has been made optional for the XLE Touring and XLE Touring Hybrid, allowing prices to be dropped slightly on those trim levels.

Vehicle Overview

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan that fits above the Camry. Powered by a V-6 or hybrid I-4, the Avalon sits at the top of the lineup as the automaker’s largest car.

Summary

The standard 2014 Toyota Avalon is powered by a 268-hp 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 248 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic that powers the front wheels. A hybrid model is available that pairs a 2.5-liter I-4/electric motor combination with a CVT. EPA estimates are 21/31 mpg city/highway for the V-6, and 40/39 mpg for the hybrid I-4. The available Technology Package adds several new safety features including a dynamic radar cruise control and pre-collision system.
The 2014 Toyota Avalon received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars), and earned a rating of good for four categories of IIHS testing (the highest-possible rating is good).

What We Think

The 2014 Toyota Avalon received a major redesign for 2013, and in a review of that car we said, “It's entertaining to throw around this 16.2-foot-long car on a mountain road; body roll is well controlled despite a suspension that's hardly state of the art. Losing 120 pounds has helped the Avalon. Ride quality - -another eye-opener -- is happily on the firm side. Sitting in the driver's seat of a Limited model, looking at the three attractive display screens and tri-color dashboard, and holding the nice steering wheel, we found the word ‘Toyota’ falling from our consciousness.”

In an Editor’s Notebook review of a 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE Touring we noted, “one thing that carries over from the old car that didn't really need improvement is the 3.5-liter V-6, which was then and continues to be smooth, powerful, and responsive . . . a sport mode perks up the throttle, transmission, and suspension responses, and there are even shift paddles on the steering wheel.”

You’ll Like

Ride strikes a great balance between comfort and sport

Styling both inside and out

Available hybrid mpg figures

You Won’t Like

Hybrid performance could be improved

No available AWD

Sport mode not actually sporty

Key Competitors

Buick LaCrosse

Nissan Maxima

Ford Taurus

Chevrolet Impala

Chrysler 300

Rating

4

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Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.

Consequences

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during November 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Potential Units Affected

20,000

Notes

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:41

Component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Camry, Camry HV, Avalon, and Avalon HV vehicles equipped with 16-inch and 17-inch rims. In the affected vehicles, the left-side front suspension lower arm may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the left side lower arm may not have enough clamping surface area for one of the bolts that secures the lower arm to the lower ball joint.

Consequences

Because of the insufficient clamping force, the lower arm may separate from the ball joint, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left side lower arm, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.